Garrett, Jones explain Murray benching

ARLINGTON – After the Cowboys committed six turnovers in losing 12-7 to Arizona last week, coach Jason Garrett was determined to send a strong message to the team that mistakes won’t be tolerated this season.

That’s why Garrett benched DeMarco Murray shortly after the tailback fumbled in the first quarter. Right tackle Jermey Parnell recovered for Dallas, but Garrett yanked Murray after the Cowboys punted four plays later, replacing him with Phillip Tanner.

Murray didn’t return until the third quarter. Determined to atone for his mistake, the former Oklahoma standout rushed for 45 yards on eight carries in the third to finish with 51 yards on 12 attempts.

Murray also scored in the third on a 7-yard pass from Kyle Orton. En route to the end zone, Murray dodged four defenders.

“There is no question that we had a little in-house resolve about what we would do if we should turn the ball over, and I think (Murray) came back with resolve,” owner Jerry Jones said. “I still think he had an attitude after he finished that third quarter. I think he still had an attitude when he did over there (on the sideline), but I think Jason’s making a point. The good news is that with Murray, he made it with somebody who can take it, and you saw the reaction of all the team.”

Murray stood on the sideline with his helmet on and his hands on his hips while watching Tanner.

“We took DeMarco out in the first half because he put the ball on the ground,” Garrett said, per ESPNDallas.com. “So we gave Phillip Tanner a chance to play with the (first team) in the first half then talked to DeMarco at halftime. We gave him a chance to play in the second half and I thought he did a good job of bouncing back.”

Murray declined to speak to reporters.

“He’s a pro. He’s a damn good football player,” Garrett said. “You can’t let not taking care of the football, when you’re a running back, diminish you as a player. And he’s just not going to do that. He’s not going to put the ball on the ground, and I thought he responded well to it.”